Monday, April 1, 2013: North Korea, video games and Keystone XL

March 31, 2013 10:35 am

Collateral damage

If North Korea continues to threaten the United States and South Korea with war, the president should inform it that if it attacks us or any ally that we will turn North Korea into another Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

It is unfortunate that civilians who can’t do anything about the despot leader will become collateral damage. My grandson is in Korea with the Air Force, and like other folks who have relatives there, I’m sure we don’t want any type of confrontation.

But if they start anything, let’s hope that our leaders can end it quickly.

John L. Clark

Bangor

Video game violence

It seems that some people feel the need to blame video games for the recent violence that has occurred. There is no reason, however, to blame video games for violence.

First of all, the Entertainment Software Rating Board does a very good job of making game ratings very clear. The rating sticker even tells you what content is in the game such as violence or language.

Playing video games is optional, and nobody is forcing violent games onto anyone. Also parents should take note of the games they allow their children to play and make sure they know what they are going to be experiencing.

Secondly, what causes crime? One factor is boredom, and video games prevent boredom, especially in rural areas, such as Maine where there isn’t much to do. Is someone that is playing Grand Theft Auto going to actually steal a car?

Most people can tell the difference between a game and reality. Video games are meant for entertainment, not to encourage violence. Video games are also a choice; nobody is forced to play them.

Please think about this as the violence debate rages on. There is no one thing, no one industry that we can blame for these tragedies.

ZachLamb

Charleston

Standing against plan

Our Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, showed his independence from big oil money this past week as he stood up for us against the Keystone XL pipeline plan.

The plan would send some of the dirtiest oil on the planet from Alberta, Canada, to the Gulf Coast, so it can be shipped overseas. Burning all of the tar sands oil would come at an enormous cost to our global climate, and, therefore, our economy, health and security.

Reducing the use of oil and other fossil fuels is a critical step in moving us to a clean energy economy and a brighter future for our kids.

We are also glad that King has joined Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree in supporting an in-depth federal review of any new plans to pipe tar sands oil through Maine and New England. Congratulations to King for one of the most important decisions he’s made yet for Mainers and all Americans.

This letter is backed by myself, four other authors in Newry, 20 in Bethel, six in Albany Township, and two in Rumford.